Gray Zone
Austria
George is driving his mentally disabled brother back to the institution. Unbeknownst to him, there is a dead body of a young boy in the road. George gets distracted driving and hits the dead boy. Thinking he has killed the boy, he tries to cover his tracks. The cops arrive. Not knowing he is innocent of a crime he did not in fact did not commit, his erratic behavior makes the cops very suspicious. Tensions rise and guns get drawn. Writer/director Karl Bretschneider made his first short film at the age of 11. Principle cast: Georg Friedrich, Martin Philadelphy, Birgit Stauber and Ali Anton Nouri.

Who Do You Love?
England
Little Heather loves her mom, but does her mum even know what love is? Heather wakes up with the shakes from being starved. Her mother wakes up with the shakes as well — but not for the same reason. Her mom needs to score to feed her drug habit. Shoplifting and car theft test the 10-year-old’s love, but the biggest test is yet to come. Unforgettable performances compose this gritty look at addiction and family ties. This is Jim McRoberts’ first film as a writer/director. Cast: Heather Keenan, Kate Dickie, Alan Robertson and John Comerford.

In the Morning
USA
When a young Turkish woman is brutally attacked, the responsibility of dealing with the criminal act and restoring her family’s honor is left to her 13 year-old brother. Based on a true story, this shocker was written and directed by Danielle Lurie. Danielle graduated from Stanford with a degree in philosophy. Set in Turkey but shot in the filmmaker’s Los Angeles apartment, Lurie’s dramatic and compelling piece brings much needed attention to what has become an urgent and global human rights issue. Cast: Anais Thomassian, JJ Darwish, Al No’mani, Joseph Meieux, Ludwig Manukian and Enrique Renaldo.

Victoria for Chino
USA
Based on a true story, in May 2003, a refrigerated truck carrying more than 80 illegal immigrants drove across the Mexican border into the heartland of Texas with horrifying results. Writer/director Cary Joji Fukunaga graduated from the University of Santa Clara with a degree in history and went on to study film at NYU. This compelling film won an honorable mention at Sundance in 2005. Cast: Aldo de Anda, William McClintark, Domingo Jose Cruz Delgado and Alma Morales.

Three Minutes of Torture
Wales
A disturbing and powerful film based on the true story of a family being held captive by the Nazis in occupied France during World War II. Written and directed by Christopher Morris. Cast: Eddie Ladd, Sharon Morgan, William Thomas.

Terminal
Wales
The first signs of infidelity: secretive behavior, uncharacteristic changes in appearance, a marked decrease in sexual interest, but probably the most telling sign is they seem a lot happier than you. Michael is learning the hard way about cheating spouses. As a young boy his father told him to learn from other people’s mistakes? because there is no way you can live long enough to make them all yourself. Will he be wise enough to take this sage advice to heart? Written and directed by Steve Judge. Cast: Tim Dutton, Vanessa Spiro and Markus Napier.
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Take Me Somewhere Else
Spain
Jorge and Patricia are a married couple whose relationship has seen better days. As they drive down the highway, she decides to break the rut they are in by playing a game. She sees a hitchhiker along the road and urges Jorge to offer him a ride. Little does she know the ramifications of her action. Sometimes, when one peels away the layers to get to the truth, there is nothing but darkness. Directed by David Martin de los Santos and starting Jose Luis Garcia-Perez and Belen Lopez.

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Fueling the Fire
USA
Two cars, one containing a white woman with kids and the other with an elderly African American couple, pull up at the same time to fill up at the gas station. Both become witnesses to a robbery and murder. Influenced by their social backgrounds, prejudices and life experiences, each has a different view of what went down. Although both are convinced of what they saw, do either of their views have any connection to reality? Writer/director Tanja Mairitsch produced commercials in her native Austria before coming to America to attend film school at UCLA and the American Film Institute. The film won a Director’s Guild of America Award and stars Amy Moon and Darrow Igus.

Car Park
Australia
Life is absurd — so let’s go shopping! Are you fed up with modern relationships? Why is it so hard to communicate with your partner? And why can’t you find a parking space when you really need one? An everyday jaunt to the mall results in a dramatic change in two couples’ lives as they get separated in the parking lot maze. When the adventure ends, will they both have gotten what they came for? Directed by Darcy Yuille. Principle cast: Alison Standen, Morgan O’Neill, Jack Finsterer and Justine Clarke.
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Clutch
Australia
Everything that ends up at Brian’s car repair shop is broken down including his relationship with his father, ex-partner and his little daughter. Wise to his procrastination, his ex hands over their five year old daughter, Rosie, to stay with Daddy until the clutch is fixed. He’s behind in his work, he can’t get the part for a few days and a mechanic’s workshop is no place for a fairy princess — or is it? Directed by Jackie Shulz. Cast: Brendan Cowell, Tony Barry, Anna Lise Phillips and Claudia Silvia.

Rain Is Falling
Germany
Based on a short story by Iranian author Mahtab Ebrahimzadeh, a young girl goes to extraordinary means to care for her sick mother. In a time in which all borders of ethnic, religious and cultural differences are being questioned, this beautifully shot film reveals that we all want the same thing. With humanity and quiet grace, this eloquent and deceptively simple film speaks volumes about love and devotion. The actions taken when no one is looking uncover the true power of humanity. Director Holger Ernst shot the award winning film in Morocco. Cast: Fadma Ettagoum, Zehra Ettagoum and Abdellah Ettagoum.

More Than the World
Argentina
A poor hunter has only known the love of his faithful companion dog. That is, until the day he meets the girl of his dreams. But this love comes with a high price. The award winning film was written, directed and edited by Lautaro Nunez De Arco. Cast: Jose Luis Nunez, Betun, Nadia Cristaldo, Victor Hugo Carrizo and Italo Damiano.
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Everything in this Country Must
USA / Ireland / England
Set against the backdrop of British occupation of Northern Ireland in 1985, an Irish farmer struggles to save his drowning horse as his daughter looks on. The teenage girl must choose between allegiance to her Catholic father and gratitude to the British soldiers who save the family horse. This 2005 Academy Award nominated film is a moving portrait of personal loss and humiliation amid political conflict. Director Gary McKendry states, “Most stories about these conflicts are written by outsiders who try to see it as a case of right and wrong — good and evil — black and white. None of us are really guilty. None of us are completely innocent. Black and white becomes gray under the crushing weight of history.” Based on the critically acclaimed short story by Colum McCann. Principle cast: Sam Spruell, Carly Greene and Gerry Dougherty.
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Billy’s Day Out
England
It’s a special day for 14-month old Billy. Mommy has packed a picnic. Older sister Suzie, daddy and granny are all excited as they pile into the car. It has all the markings for a great bonding experience. It is never too early to start teaching children the important lessons in life. If it takes a village to raise a child – stay out of this village. Directed by Iain B. MacDonald. This is his first dramatic film. Principle cast: Lee Ross, Jo McInnes and Steph Bramwell.

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The Five Cent Curve
USA
When life comes crashing down around you, will you be strong enough to pick up the pieces? Three different perspectives: those of a suicidal mother, a young deaf boy and a pregnant teenager. All three are riddled with guilt and are unable to clear their consciences. Their lives simultaneous unfold and overlap and result in a most surprising outcome. Coincidence? You be the judge. Director Brendan Hayward attended film school at USC. Principle cast: Deidre West, Jeffrey Lorenzo, Jacquie Willey, Stewart Skelton and Zoe Yeoman.

Barrier Device
USA
What do you use for protection? A researcher for a female condom study loses all objectivity when she realizes that her subject is dating her ex-boyfriend. This Student Academy Award winning film is written and directed by UCLA film grad Grace Lee and stars Sandra Oh (Sideways, Grey’s Anatomy) and Suzy Nakamura in a poignant drama about obsession and loyalty between women.

A Monk’s Awakening
France
A young monk on a journey to deliver a sacred sword back to his venerated master is challenged by a samurai. The monk begs the samurai to spare his life, promising the samurai he will return to fight once he has accomplished his mission. Once back at the temple, the monk’s elderly master orders him to keep his promise to return to confront the samurai – much to the monk’s astonishment. He’s desperate. He’s facing certain death. What will he do? A visually ravishing film written, produced and directed by Marc-Olivier Louveau. Cast: Chau Belle Dinh, Malik Faroun, Jim-Adhl Limas and Issoji.

Sweet
USA
A young man. A young woman. Two soul mates. A brief, sensual ride through the rapture and realities of love. Passionate daydreams provide an escape hatch from their daily routines. But who is the dreamer and who is the dream? Directed, produced and written by Elyse Couvillion. The evocative idea came to her while listening to Tchaikovsky’s “Coffee” from “The Nutcracker” ballet. Elyse has worked as camera assistant for such big name directors as Barry Levinson and Peter Weir. Her cameraman, Allen Daviau has been nominated for 5 Academy Awards and has worked on such films as E.T. and The Color Purple. Cast: Fraizer Bain, Heather Pendergast.
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